France Televisions Boss Delphine Ernotte-Cunci Says Axing Of French Networks Streamer Salto Was “Strategic Mistake” — Series Mania

deadline.com:

Delphine Ernotte-Cunci, the CEO of France Télévisions, has called the collapse of the French broadcaster-backed streamer Salto “a strategic mistake.” Salto — a subscription streaming venture between France Télévisions, TF1 and M6 — dissolved last year after failing to attract subscribers amid fierce competition in France, but Ernotte-Cunci wants to see another version developed.

During a keynote at Series Mania, she praised the upcoming British streaming service Freely, which is backed by all of the main terrestrial networks, and called on her French counterparts to explore a similar initiative. “I can say we missed an opportunity,” said Ernotte-Cunci. “We killed Salto, but from my point of view this was a strategic mistake and I hope we can overcome it and reconsider it.

A common platform is the right thing to do.” Earlier today, the outgoing boss of M6, Nicolas de Tavernost, called for “collective measures to expand streaming services” in France.

He also referenced the soon-to-launch UK offering Freely, saying: “British people showed us the way but we missed a step there.” Quizzed about the upcoming TF1 free streaming service, Ernotte-Cunci replied that “you can go it alone or be more the merrier and stronger together,” adding the discoverability was becoming harder and harder and collective platform would address this issue. “We need to understand this is not the 1990s.